Porsche’s electric supercar to be called the Taycan

Camera IconThe production version of Porsche’s first electric car will be known as the Taycan.

Porsche has announced its upcoming all-electric supercar will be named the Taycan.

According to the company, the name has oriental origins and is roughly translated as “lively young horse”, referencing Porsche’s logo.

The Taycan was first previewed with the Mission E concept at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show and followed by the Mission E Cross Turismo high-riding wagon concept at Geneva this year.

It will go into production next year and will be Porsche’s first all-electric vehicle.

Looking to take on the likes of Tesla, the Taycan will have two electric motors with a total output of more than 440kW, which Porsche says will send it to 100km/h in “well under” 3.5 seconds and on to 200km/h in under 12 seconds.

Despite the performance, the Taycan has a maximum range of over 500km/h.

In other Porsche news, the company has also revealed a new concept in honour of its 70th anniversary.

The 911 Speedster Concept aims to combine the aesthetics of the brand’s very first car — the 356 ”No. 1” Roadster — and its vehicles of today.

Its body is a reworked version of the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. In a nod to the original, a lightweight tonneau cover is used rather than a convertible top, while mod-cons such as navigation, radio and air- conditioning systems have been removed to reduce weight.

The bucket seats are made of carbon to further reduce weight, though their light-brown Aniline leather covers hark back to classic cars.

Other retro touches include a central fuel tank cap in the middle of the front bonnet, Talbot-shaped exterior mirrors and a unique headlight design.

It has a special “double bubble” rear cover extending from the front seats — made of carbon, of course — which offers a classic look while also hiding the car’s modern rollover protection structure.

Underneath, it’s all cutting edge 21st century knowhow. Its drive technologies are derived from Porsche’s GT models; the concept was developed at the Porsche Motorsport Centre, also the birthplace of the 911 GT2 RS and GT3 RS.

The Speedster Concept essentially shares its chassis with the latter. The 21-inch wheels have contrasting clover-leaf details and it’s the first time the wheels have been paired with centre locks.

The GT developers also contributed the exhaust system, which has titanium tailpipes.

There’s a six-cylinder flat engine, which generates more than 370kW and will rev out to 9000rpm.

It’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

If you’re interest is piqued, there’s further good news: Porsche is considering putting it into production, with a decision to be made in the coming months.